Comments on: Peter Jobe photographed CP 8463 in Toronto on December 14, 1980. While some see only a roster shot, the man on the far left throwing the switch and the silos in the background add interest.

By: RonaldB

RonaldB — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:01:21 +0000

Hogger Doug’s remarks about brake conditioning are correct, but what we’re seeing in this shot is actually steam. 8463 is a dual service engine with a steam generator & they were keep running to avoid freezing up pipes.Even in 1980 & later,CP units were sometimes used to assist on trains like the Canadian when VIA needed a unit. I’ve coupled a few of these to a train where the steam pipe was protruding through the open hatch at the bottom & my glasses fogged up right away so I couldn’t see a thing. In this shot the steam pipes are behind the closed door hatch on the pilot so the steam is escaping behind the pilots at each end.

By: hoggerdoug

hoggerdoug — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 23:01:27 +0000

Yes, cast iron brake shoes needed “conditioning” and warm up. High friction composite brake shoes needed more to make them effective in cold weather. Winter condition railroading can be a challenge.

By: Stuart Streit

Stuart Streit — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 16:48:54 +0000

Was the warming exercise especially important for cast iron brake shoes?

By: hoggerdoug

hoggerdoug — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 18:53:14 +0000

Something else of interest it appears to be steam coming off the trucks and brake shoes. that was a detail of winter condition operation, drag the engine brakes, clear the ice and snow off the brake shoes, warm them up prior to switching.